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Student Engineering Apprenticeships
Programme Description
The Student Engineering Apprenticeship allows motivated and capable students interested in a career in engineering to study vocational qualifications at FE College whilst furthering their education at the post-16 level.
Students are based in a Sixth Form and study an appropriate engineering qualification (usually BTEC National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering) and other subjects. For one day each week students work towards completing eight units of Performing Engineering Operations (PEO'S). A nationally recognised vocational qualification delivered by a local FE college. They also complete the Key Skills portfolio during this time.
Students who have completed the Student Engineering Apprenticeship have satisfied all the requirements for an Apprenticeship in Engineering. Companies are able to employ these students without having to provide off the job training and students can increase their skill level by completing an Advanced Apprenticeship with on the job training.
Performing Engineering Operations
Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) is a national Vocational Qualification (NVQ). The qualification is competency (can do) based and requires the student to provide proof of being able to carry out practical and academic work to a suitable standard. Students have to collect evidence of both their practical and academic work in a portfolio, which is assessed by the course assessor and the external verifier to ensure the required standard is o be reached. In order to be awarded PEO 2 NVQ2 certificate and complete the first year of an apprenticeship a minimum of 8 units must be completed.
The NVQ level 2 consists of three separate sections. There are 3 mandatory units, which every student must do. There are 3 units in group A, of which 1 unit must be completed. There are 30 units in group B, of which 2 must be taken. The choice of units is usually decided by the college but students can study more units if they wish.
Mandatory Units
- Working safely in an engineering environment
- Developing yourself and working with others on engineering activities
- Using and communicating technical information
Group A
- Identifying and selecting engineering materials
- Marking out for engineering activities
Group B
- Fitting using hand skills
- Machining engineering materials
- Producing plate work components and assemblies
- Wiring and testing electrical circuits
- Joining materials by welding
Key Skills
All students study Key Skills at level 2 during their time at the FE college. This consists of the following units:
- Application of number
- Communication
- Information communication technology
- Working with others
- Improving own learning and performance
Students are required to compile a Key Skills portfolio showing their skills in the above areas. Students who do not have a grade C in GCSE maths, English language and ICT are required to pass further tests in the application of number, communication and information communication technology units.
This section of the course aims give students a greater awareness of the general skills required by employers.
Progression Routes
After completing their Student Engineering Apprenticeship students will have a qualification which is equivalent to two A-Levels or the first year of an Apprenticeship programme. This gives the student the choice to go to University to study Engineering or to continue with an Apprenticeship programme with a company. As they have already completed one year of this programme they will be able to start with a company working towards improving their practical skills.
Following the apprenticeship route students can gain practical skills and become a Skilled Craftsman or undertake further technical training and become a Skilled Technician. These outcomes are usually dependant on the employing companies' requirements.
At any point the students can still join a University course and gain further qualifications and employment opportunities. Many employers have further development programmes and apprentices often have opportunities later on to study for a degree part-time whilst working or even gaining full sponsorship to go to university.
The Engineering Institutes generally require a degree qualification or equivalent study to enable people to gain Chartered Engineer status.